In a series of meetings in Paris, I met with counterparts in government and non-government sector, to discuss the forthcoming Conference of the Parties on Climate Change, the 2019 Secretary-General Climate Summit, the Global Pact process and the 2020 Biodiversity Summit.
With WWF France, we discussed strengthening our partnership notably around plastics pollution and sustainable lifestyles. I shared our recent experience with the global plastics pollution in India and we debated how we could use WWF outreach platforms to disseminate these best practices through its global network. We also explored further collaboration on issues of environment and security.
In Geneva, I joined Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Roberto Azevêdo, in co-hosting a dialogue on the relationship between trade, environment and resilience alongside the World Trade Organization’s Public Forum, which attracts over 1500 participants. I highlighted the many champions and pioneers that are showing us every day how the economy of the future can work. Innovation can help us overcome environmental challenges.
We must do everything we can to support these front runners to unlock trade in green sectors and move us towards more sustainable ways of consuming and producing. When we do this, we will find huge opportunities for prosperity and jobs. The key message from the dialogue was that these two critical spheres can, and must, work together for the future of the planet and of the global economy. We called for actions from countries, civil society and the private sector to bring trade into closer alignment with a healthier, sustainable, resilient and prosperous world.
The World Trade Organization and UN Environment launched the joint report, Making trade work for the environment, prosperity and resilience which illustrates how both institutions are working together to support countries in identifying opportunities to use trade to promote sustainability and prosperity, and to strengthen international co-operation to deliver benefits for all.
The group identified two priorities including reforming fisheries subsidies and engaging with private sector. In meetings with Minister Kimmo Tiilikainen, Environment Minister of Finland, we discussed the need to do more work on trade linkages in a circular economy approach. With Swiss Ambassador for the Environment, Franz Perrez we discussed the forthcoming Global Environmental Outlook 6 and the importance of deliberating more closely on post-2020 biodiversity targets.
